A mother-of-four who has opened her home to adults with learning disabilities to help them find independence has received international recognition for her work.

Helen Hill has spent nearly 30 years working in care, firstly as manager of Keynsham Mencap's Family Home and now as a carer for the Shared Lives scheme by providing a place to stay.

As part of the initiative run by health care provider Sirona Care and Health, Helen, 48, and her husband Terry, 59, along with their four sons, have helped around 18 adults with learning disabilities.

By offering them temporary accommodation, she has helped them to develop essential life skills and play an active role in family life and their community, enabling many to move into their own homes or a shared house.

The couple also offer outreach care to others, providing days out, training, activities, and overnight stays.

Now, in recognition of her dedication to those with learning disabilities, Keynsham Lions Club has bestowed one of the organisation's highest honours on her, the Melvin Jones Fellowship.

She said the honour was a "lovely surprise", and said her husband, sons and parents were all vital to the initiative.

"Through the scheme we really have shared every aspect of our lives and it is so emotionally rewarding – I couldn't see myself doing anything else. I have just the most fantastic admiration for people with learning disabilities, they really have so much to offer, they have the most wonderful traits which we really want the world to see.

"It's not just about learning skills, but about being able to cope emotionally, feeling secure and well supported as part of a family."

Helen also supports people working at the regular Saturday Kitchen pop-up café at Keynsham's Key Centre, which is staffed by adults with learning difficulties.

Her name will now appear on a rolling display at the Lions Clubs International headquarters in Illinois.

Head of Sirona's Shared Lives services Jon Plechowicz added: "We are delighted for Helen that she has been recognised in this way."